ABOUT UTC MOCK TRIAL
The University of Tennessee Mock Trial team was founded in 2008 and has been led by attorney-coach Michael Giglio from its inception.
In the last 7 seasons, UTC Mock Trial has earned 60 individual awards, 9 bids to the American Mock Trial post-season competition, 3 bids to the National Championship, 12 top-3 tournament finishes, and a whole lot of airline and hotel points.
Any current UTC undergraduate student with an interest in public speaking, debate, acting, law school, or academic competition is encouraged to join us. Come be a part of one of the most successful trial teams in the nation!
Looking for a video example of mock trial? Check out this closing argument, this cross examination, or this witness performance.
Coaches
Michael Giglio
Michael 'Gig' Giglio is an attorney and judge in Catoosa County with the Georgia State Bar. He has been coaching with UTC's mock trial program since its inception. In addition, he is an adjunct professor at the university, teaching (the highly recommended) Justice and the American Trial Process. When not coaching or spending time with his wife, Greta, he is bemoaning the inevitable downfall of the Georgia Bulldogs at the hand of the Tennessee Vols.
Erika Hyde
Erika Hyde is an attorney in Chattanooga and has been involved in AMTA as a competitor, judge or coach since 2006. She was most recently head coach of the Duke mock trial program, before joining the UTC Mocs coaching staff in 2015. When she's not coaching, Erika enjoys exploring Chattanooga's restaurants with her husband and Chattanooga's dog parks with her shih tzu, Pepper.
Officers (2022-2023)
President
Taylor Johnson
Taylor is a senior American Politics major with a minor in Communications. She spends her time outside of school working as a tour guide at Ruby Falls. Taylor loves learning about the rules of evidence through mock trial, and is excited to make new friends and travel to new places throughout the season.
Vice President
Sophia Kennan
Sophia is a junior Public Law major and Spanish minor. She loves reading, watching movies, and spending time with family and friends. On the team, she loves to push herself and help others to create a great team and friend group.
Treasurer
Nicole Knight-Fallon
Nicole is a sophomore Criminal Justice major with a minor in political science. She can usually be found drawing, playing video games, shopping, and hanging with friends. She loves the world of mock trial, whether it be traveling, coming up with witness accounts and attorney arguments, and the community mock trial brings together.